Page 71 of Hello Tease

Once I was ready, we drove to The Hen House. Knox said to the kids, “Are you excited to spend some time with some new friends tonight?”

Emily said, “I know Hen. We hang out with her sometimes with Liv. Yesterday, we picked tomatoes from their garden, and the ladies there showed us how to make fried green tomatoes!”

I squeezed Knox’s hand. I hadn’t gotten around to telling him that bit because last night, my mouth had been otherwise occupied.

“That’s my favorite,” Knox said. “Did you like them?”

Jackson babbled while Emily said, “Yes, especially with ranch.”

“That’s my girl,” I said with a laugh. Anything tasted better with a little ranch dressing on it.

Knox ran his thumb over the back of my hand, asking Emily, “What do you think you’ll do tonight?”

“Mama packed board games, so maybe that?”

I smiled back at her. “Which one is your favorite?”

“Maybe Chutes and Ladders... or Candyland... or Connect Four, or...”

“You like them all, huh?” Knox teased.

Emily said, “Yeah.” And we were already at The Hen House, so we got out, walking toward the cute brick building. I held Jackson on my hip, and I watched as Emily reached for Knox’s hand, holding it on the way up the stairs.

My heart did its balancing act, walking on the tightrope between happiness that I was with a man my daughter loved and utter terror that he’d someday break all our hearts. But I knew Knox, I reminded myself. He was a good man. He wouldn’t do that to us. He couldn’t.

We reached the door and knocked, and pretty soon, Tyler and Henrietta were letting us inside. I stared at the grand entrance and the lobby area. They had it all set up with a giant projector screen, a cute old-timey popcorn machine, and big inflatable cushions. Some of the residents were sitting in folding chairs or milling about. And there was even a little ball pit in the corner for the kids to play in.

I went to hug Henrietta. “Oh my gosh, this looks amazing!”

She grinned at me and then gave Jackson a little wave. “We do a community activity every Friday and decided to make this week a family movie night! We’re watchingShrek.”

“Oh my gosh, I love that one,” I told her.

Jackson cooed like he agreed. He still hadn’t added more than “dada” and “Em” to his vocabulary, but I swore he was getting more expressive by the day.

She held her hands out to Jackson, “Can I hold you, sweetie?”

He wasn’t so sure at first, but he let her hold him, and soon she had him giggling by making silly faces at him. It warmed my heart to see my new friend be so sweet with my baby. With Jackson happy with Hen, I looked over to see Tyler Griffen, a guy around the same height as Knox with tattoos up and down both his arms and dark brown hair, showing Emily the popcorn machine while Knox watched. He plucked a piece of popcorn out and tossed it in the air before catching it in his mouth. Then he let Emily try. It bounced off her forehead, making all of them laugh. I smiled at the sight.

Was this what it felt like to live around family? To have more than just you loving your children, adding to your life?

I knew Tyler wasn’t technically related to Knox, but they grew up together as neighbors and felt as close as brothers.

Knox turned to me and walked my way. “I think we lost the kids to the party,” he said.

I smiled at the way he talked about my children.

“What?” he asked.

I reached for his hand, lacing my fingers through his. “I just love the way you talk about my children. It means a lot to see you so sweet with them.”

He dipped his head to kiss my temple. “They’re part you,” he said as if that was all the explanation he needed. “Ready to go?”

“Let me say goodbye to the kids, and we can head out.” I went and told them goodbye, although it seemed like they hardly noticed I was there at all, and then Knox and I walked out to his truck. He went to my side, reaching for the handle. He looked so amazing in tan pants and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled, showing the tattoos on his forearms.

“Knox Madigan, are you holding the door open for me?” I asked, smiling at him.

His gaze heated as he pulled the door open. “Of course I am. But only so I can make out with you when you get in.”

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